January 28, 2020 Health & Safety Dear Parents,
It is important for us as a school community of educators, parents, and students to work together to prevent the spread of germs and illness and do all we can to prevent exposure to the coronavirus first identified in Wuhan Province, China. Please know that we are monitoring the situation on a daily basis. We are keeping a close watch on any changes communicated through The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA).
Even though a patient with the novel strain of coronavirus has been recently identified in Orange County, OCHCA maintains that the risk for school children in Orange County is minimal. Internationally, the illness has primarily affected adults – elderly patients with pre-existing conditions. For more information on the infected patient in Orange County, please visit the OCHCA website.
The CDC has emphasized that the prevention of coronavirus is similar to that of the common cold or flu. Please read the recommended prevention steps detailed below, and visit the CDC website for more information about the coronavirus. To preserve the health and safety of all children and staff, we require that any child with symptoms of contagious illness stay home from school or if they exhibit symptoms at school, that they be picked up from school by a parent or guardian if called. Please ensure your child's emergency contact list is updated to include family, friends, or neighbors in the local area in the event we are unable to reach you right away.
Symptoms of contagious illness can include: Temperature above 99.9 degrees
We urge you to be particularly diligent with preventive hygiene and vigilant in monitoring for flu symptoms if your child has been in contact with anyone traveling from China in the past two weeks. If any of your children have come in contact with recent travelers, and have symptoms, we ask that you contact your health care practitioner immediately, and stay home pending written clearance from their health care practitioner. The CDC provides information specifically for travelers, or those who may have been in contact with travelers, in high alert areas. Click this link to read the CDC's travel notice.
School Prevention Measures We will remind students of the appropriate steps to prevent the spread of any germs, including washing hands often – with soap, and for a full 20 seconds; covering coughs and sneezes appropriately, and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. We are working with our cleaning company to ensure the disinfection of doorknobs, sinks, tables, and chairs daily, and our staff will routinely disinfect classroom materials. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the coronavirus, please speak with your healthcare professional. Thank you for your attention to this matter and God bless.
With Care, Dr. De Larkin Principal
St. John Bosco High School 13640 Bellflower Blvd. • Bellflower, CA 90706 • (562) 920-1734 |